Welcome listeners, if my Auntie Rutha played like Daniil Medvedev, she'd still be on holding court at our annual family reunion. The lumbering yet lethal, 5th seed Medvedev has been in fine fettle lately, strolling through the lush green Wimbledon lawns like he's on a Sunday picnic, tossing aside Muller and Kovacevic like they're stale sandwiches.
On the other side of the net, we have the unseeded robust rogue, Jan-Lennard Struff. Do not let his lack of seeding fool you, this is a man on a mission. He stormed through tough matches against Marozsan and Zhang, including a win over the same Zhang who managed to upset Medvedev in June.
Yet, it's tennis folks, where power of love rules. I do think Struff will put up quite the fight -- like a seagull defending its chips -- but this is far from a walk on the beach for him. However, a Victoria Sponge isn't just sponge and jam, it needs that cream on top, and that's Medvedev. He’s the one with the creamy form, despite that bittersweet loss to de Minaur in June - still enough talent there to cover a tea scone or two.
Despite Struff's commendable recent results, Medvedev's 5th seed status and favorable payout data tell me he has the edge. Yet, with Struff's spirited play recently, it might get more interesting than Medvedev would want.
Remember ladies and gents, this isn't just sport, it's a character display and it seems Social Darwinism will be on full display on this Wimbledon lawn. So, get your tea and cucumber sandwiches ready while we prepare for this display of survival of the 'Fittest', and I mean that in every sense of the word.
Street-smart Albert's prediction here: Medvedev takes the cake, but expect a dogfight, no straight sets this time. Albert's Prediction: Medvedev in 4 sets.